Tag Archives: Short film

On August 13, 1945, the educational film Tuberculosis was delivered to the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs. The Disney Studios had a series of “good neighbor” films during World War II that stressed the importance of cleanliness and other issues that affected areas of South America; this film was one of the first in a series addressing health concerns and the steps that need to be taken to cure someone of the disease. Though an English version was produced, the film was created entirely in Spanish.

August 7, 1992 – The Short Film Petal to the Metal is Released to Theaters

On August 7, 1992, the special short film Petal to the Metal premiered in theaters before the feature film 3 Ninjas. The short featured the character of Bonkers D. Bobcat, before he starred in his television show in 1993. It finds Bonkers, in an effort to keep his job, trying to deliver a bouquet to Fawn Deer in only five minutes, but ends up in one hilarious predicament after another. The short was directed by David Block.

July 29, 1922 – The Laugh-O-gram Short Film Little Red Riding Hood Premieres in Theaters

On July 29, 1922, the Laugh-o-Gram short film Little Red Riding Hood premiered in theaters. Though Walt Disney had had success with the Newman Laugh-O-grams in the early 1920s, this new short film was his first foray into the animation business among the likes of the New York studios. Though this short film would start a string of adapted fairy tale cartoons, this venture would fail until Disney created the Alice Comedies. The film was considered a lost film for decades, but a print was found in the 1990s in a London film library; the short was eventually restored by the Walt Disney Company when they acquired it in 1998.

On July 17, 1992, the animated short film Off His Rockers premiered in theaters. It was an experimental piece for the Disney Studio, Disney using some early form of computer animation within the short. It was directed by Barry Cook, and animated at the Disney-MGM Studios.

The short begins with a little boy playing video games, while his old rocking horse peeks at him from behind the closet door. The horse rocks his way out to see the boy, eyes wide with fatigue, and attempts ot get his attention by rocking around the room, only to break off one of his rockers. Realizing he can walk without the rocking pieces, he continues to try and get the boy’s attention through various antics, including kicking the game way. Unfortunately, this only angers the boy, and he runs to get the game. As the boy runs to get his controller, he steps on a picture of him and the rocking horse, and spies the horse sadly reapplying his rocking pieces. The boy has a change of heart and dons his old Western gear after turning off his game for good. The two race around the room before running off into the sunset for a new adventure.

“…we invite you to relive with us the story telling magic, the wit, the wisdom, the humor, the understanding of a very special person who gave the world a timeless and universal art form.”

On July 10, 1981, the tribute short film Once Upon a Mouse was released. A joint production between Kramer/Rocklin Studios and Walt Disney Productions, this short was released to honor the Disney Studios’ twentieth animated feature film. It is a mix of clips from Disney animated features, short films, and clips from Disneyland, showcasing Disney Studios from its early days to the status it had in the early 1980s.

June 27, 1927 – The Alice Comedy Alice in the Klondike is Released to Theaters

On June 27, 1927, the Alice Comedy Alice in the Klondike was released to theaters. It was the 53rd Alice Comedy released, and the 6th to feature fourth and final Alice actress Lois Hardwick. Like many of the Alice Comedies starring Hardwick, the film has since been classified as a lost film.

June 13, 1927 – The Alice Comedy Alice’s Channel Swim is Released to Theaters

On June 13, 1927, the Alice Comedy Alice’s Channel Swim was released to theaters. It was the 52nd Alice Comedy released, and the fifth starring fourth and final Alice actress, Lois Hardwick. Unfortunately, like many of Hardwick’s short films, the film has since been classified as a lost cartoon.